2009 Performers

Daniel Stephens

My white name is Daniel Stephens, our people call me Sma'knis (pronounced "smaw-ganiss" -Warrior) I come from Nova Scotia, the Mi'kmaq Territory. I am Combat Veteran with 3 tours as a sniper in the US Marine Corps, both in Afghanistan and Iraq. As a traditional dancer I tell stories of great battles and hunts. I am a protector of our people. I come from a family of pipe carriers and sundancers. We are a traditional people. As a dancer and a Veteran I carry great responsibility and with that comes respect, for all colors and nations. In our language when we finish ceremony we say M'sit No'kmaq-all my relations. We learn from our elders what ceremony is and continue to protect our culture as Mi'kmaq people. I have been dancing as a traditional for the past 3 years, traveling all across North America, competing with other dancers from other tribes. It has been an honor to have the opportunity to teach our children these sacred ways as they have been taught to me. They call me Sma'knis.

Indio Saravanja

Singer-songwriter Indio Saravanja's debut album was released in October 2005 and has since been featured on Sounds Like Canada, Vinyl Cafe, North By Northwest, Definitely Not The Opera and Global Village, and has enjoyed steady rotation across the board. For further info check out his web site.

Mimi Kennedy – Predictably Random Creations

Mimi and her two young daughters, Pippa and Bridie are the artisans behind Predictably Random Creations. They take great satisfaction in watching people’s reactions to their unique and quirky creations, which usually range from a smiling “Oh, cool!” to an outright belly laugh followed by an “How the heck do you guys come up with this stuff?!”. The jewelry and accessories they create appeal to mainstream folk as well as people who might label themselves as Scene, Goth, Emo, Rockabilly and Steampunk, amongst others. Their favorite mediums are embedded resin, guitar picks, chain maille, up-cycled found objects and hardware. Yes… hardware. From the hardware store. Mimi is the Head Designer and Artisan, but Pippa and Bridie are both in charge of the Cool Department.

Pippa Kennedy – In Your Face Body Art

Predictably Random Creations has morphed! Although, still involved with PRC, Pippa is now the proud owner of her own business… In Your Face Body Art. Since starting last summer, she’s already shown off her creative talents on people’s faces, arms, legs, backs, feet and hands at Folk on the Rocks, Miner’s Picnic, Wharf Ratz Jam & Artz Market, and various other parties.

Ted Wesley

Ted Wesley is a singer/song-writer who has lived in and loved the North for over 40 years and is a tribute to the land and it's people, resonating in the hearts all those proud to call themselves Northerners. He began his music career when he formed the music group "The Tundra Folk" for Canada's Centennial in 1967. In 1972, he recorded his first album Straight North and his is second album, Blackflies, Mosquitoes and Other Love Songs was released in 1973. In 1977, he received national acclaim with more than 70,000 albums sold and a Juno nomination as Country Male Vocalist of the Year for his recording of his third album, Long Dusty Road. His first recording in a cd format I Remember...Our Northern Heritage, is a poetic treasury of a time that may be lost, but never forgotten.

Ted Wesley has two children, a son Jonathon and a daughter Nahanni. He is living and working in northern Alberta with his wife, daughter Nahanni and her husband and their two children. He continues to share dulcet stories of his time in Yellowknife with anyone who will listen.